Three previously unknown, overlooked, or perhaps wrongly identified impurities in illicit cocaine seized in the Netherlands Antilles are traced by various combinations of chromatographic and extraction methods. Once isolated using high-performance liquid chromatography, the compounds are identified as norcocaine, N-benzoylnorecgnonine methyl ester, and N-formyl norcocaine. Their presence in the illicit cocaine samples is explained as a result of the permanganate bleaching procedure that is nowadays routinely performed as part of the illegal production protocol.

Author Information:

Hummelen, JC Senior research chemist, Laboratory for Organic Chemistry, University of Groningen,

Ensing, JG University Centre for Pharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen,

Stock #: JFS13191J

ISSN: 0022-1198

DOI: 10.1520/JFS13191J

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Author Title Isolation, Identification, and Origin of Three Previously Unknown Congeners in Illicit CocaineSymposium , 0000-00-00Committee E30